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SDF launches final assault on Raqqa after some ISIS fighters evacuated

The U.S.-backed SDF launched a final assault on the remaining ISIS-held areas of Raqqa after some ISIS fighters evacuated from the Syrian city overnight

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Council, tribes reach deal to evacuate civilians from ISIS-held Raqqa

Raqqa Civil Council and local Arab tribal elders have brokered a deal to evacuate civilians from the city, an arrangement designed to minimise casualties

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Erbil and Baghdad are on brink of war in Kirkuk – Kurdistan Representative

Kurdistan is calling on the international community to help de-escalate situation in Kirkuk as the region is hovering on the brink of war.

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Iraqi army denies sending troops to seize control of Kirkuk

An Iraqi general denied that troops had been sent to take control over Kirkuk after reports that the army was advancing on the Kurdish-held city

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Trump to appoint Lockheed executive to Pentagon defense policy role

U.S. President Donald Trump intends to appoint John Rood, an executive at defense contractor Lockheed Martin, as as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

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Iraqi troops fought through 2.5 weeks of ISIS chemical attacks to liberate Mosul – Brigade Commander

The Iraqi Security Forces proceeded with operations to liberate the city of Mosul from ISIS despite continuous use of chemical weapons against them

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Foreign minister: Turkey can back out of Russian S-400 deal without technology transfer

Turkish authorities could annul the deal to purchase Russian S-400 air defense missile system if Moscow refuses to transfer technology, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday. “We have heard no official refusal on that score. [Russia’s President Vladimir] Putin told us we may take steps for joint production. Know-how will be crucial. If Russia’s attitude is negative, we may clinch a deal with another country,” Mr. Cavusoglu said in an interview with Aksam. Turkey and Russia had largely agreed on conditions for the S-400 deal, worth some $2.5 billion, over the summer. However, the agreement was officially signed only in September, when Ankara made an advance payment. Vladimir Kozhin, the Russian presidential aide for military and technical cooperation, said last month that Moscow and Ankara were not discussing technology transfer at the time. “We are not speaking about it, as yet we speak only about supplies of ready weapons, technologies – no,” he said. According to Kozhin, Turkey wants to see the systems delivered before 2019, and the issue is still under discussion. Russia’s S-400 Triumf long-and medium-range air defense missile system can use five different missile types to destroy aerial targets including both planes and other missiles at a range …

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Russia to provide air support to Turkish operation in Syria, Erdogan says

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that a "serious operation" has begun in Idlib province in Syria and that Russia will provide air support.

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Coalition denies striking Syrian regime forces after two convoys entered At Tanf deconfliction zone

The Coalition confirmed that two pro-Syrian regime convoys entered At Tanf deconfliction zone, but denied reports that its aircraft struck a convoy

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Hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico delay deployment of US troops to Afghanistan

Deployment of U.S. troops to Afghanistan has been delayed due to ongoing hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico, Joint Staff Director Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie said on Thursday. “Forces are flowing to Afghanistan. They have been slightly delayed by ongoing hurricane relief efforts,” McKenzie told reporters. “There is a finite number of transport aircraft the U.S. Transportation Command has.” The general added that the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan is currently “in the vicinity of 11,000.” Washington has pledged some 3,000 additional servicemen. U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis said on Tuesday the troops would provide advisory and fire support to the Afghan military. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello said during a press conference in San Juan on Thursday that more than 11,000 Defense Department personnel are helping the territory to recover from devastating conscequences of Hurricane Maria.

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